The big story
Triumph TR: Buy now
For the buyer who thinks an MGB Roadster really isn’t up to the job when it comes to performance, there’s always the Triumph TR4/5/6 trio. All models have been a mainstay of the UK’s classic movement and the 4, with its dramatic break from the TR3, succeeded in moving the sporting Triumph up a notch on the British sports car ladder.
Thanks to a long production run there’s plenty of choice and American examples offer a chance to buy good rust-free examples – providing, of course, that they come from dry states.
There are plenty of projects too, and for the have-a-go enthusiast they offer a good way of not spending winter months in front of the television.
There was little TR4/5/6 action at the start of the year, other than a restoration-project 1971 TR6 which Anglia Car Auctions sold for £8190. Silverstone Auctions sold a very good 1962 TR4 for just over £24,000 at Race Retro a month later.
Would-be TR4 owners were in for a treat in March when two more sold – a 1962 example was sold by Historics for £18,480 while H&H hammered away a 1966 4A for £20,250.
Barons and South Western Vehicle Auctions obliged in April, Barons offering a 1962 TR4 (£13k) and a 1967 TR4A (£18k) and SWVA’s 1965 TR4 made £21,116. June saw H&H sell a 1966 4A for a healthy £21,937 at its first RAC sale.
To many the TR6 offers the best value for money in the traditional two-seater sector, with its close links to its ‘4’ and ‘5’ predecessors, and a regular supply of American imports means more choice and lower prices than for TR4s and the much scarcer TR5. Barons’ April sale saw two 1971 TR6s sell for £13,200 and £18,700, and a 1973 car for £16,500.
Prices can vary wildly, as prices from May show – Brightwells sold a 1969 TR6 for a reasonable £9570 and a 1973 example for £16,500, while further south Historics got £16,800 for a 1971 car and a strong £23,520 for a very good 1972 model. Silverstone wasn’t far behind, making £23,063 for a 1973 TR6.
Three TR6s found new homes in June – Barons sold a 1973 model for £14,850 and Classic Car Auctions sold a 1974 car for £14,300 and a 1975 car for £17,050.
While the TR6 offers buyers far more opportunities and TR4s are reasonably common, anyone wanting a TR5 is likely to be in for a long wait. But whichever model an enthusiast wants, they all offer first-rate performance, looks, spares support and club camaraderie.